It has been widely reported and famous in the media these days that a resolution against Sri Lanka has been tabled at the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Although no resolution has been tabled for or against Sri Lanka, discussions began this week on a draft resolution to promote human rights in the country.
It is called the Zero Draft to amend it. The draft may be amended several times during the period up to 11 March. Voting for the final draft is scheduled for March 22.
The draft, which was handed over to the UNHRC Registrar on February 19, is entitled “Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka.” The core group consists of six member states: Canada, Germany, Northern Macedonia, Malawi, Montenegro and the United Kingdom.
The Zero Draft consists of 15 opening paragraphs and 16 active paragraphs.
OP9: Calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure the prompt, thorough and impartial investigation and, if warranted, prosecution of all allegations of gross human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law including for longstanding emblematic cases,
OP10: Also calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure the effective and independent functioning of the National Human Rights Commission, the Office on Missing Persons, and the Office for Reparations.
OP11: Further calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to protect civil society actors, to investigate any attacks and ensure a safe and enabling environment in which civil society can operate free from hindrance, insecurity, and reprisals.
OP12: Requests the Government of Sri Lanka review the Prevention of Terrorism Act and ensure that any legislation to combat terrorism complies with its international human rights and humanitarian law obligations.
OP13: Urges the Government of Sri Lanka to foster religious freedom and pluralism by promoting the ability of all religious communities to manifest their religion, and to contribute openly and on an equal footing to society.
OP14: Encourages the Government of Sri Lanka to continue to cooperate with special procedures mandate holders, including responding formally to outstanding requests.
OP15: Also encourages the Office of the High Commissioner and relevant Special Procedures mandate holders to provide, in consultation with and with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka, advice and technical assistance on implementing the above-mentioned steps,
OP16: Requests the Office of the High Commissioner to enhance its monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, including progress on reconciliation and accountability, and to present a written update to the Human Rights Council at its forty-ninth session, and a comprehensive report including further options for advancing accountability at its fifty-first session, both to be discussed in interactive dialogues.
